Ransomware Attacks Hit All-Time High as Payoffs Dwindle

A recent surge in ransomware claims might signal that the profitability of the cybercriminal trade is beginning to falter and payouts are dwindling.

Several cyber threat reports recently showed that ransomware attack claims reached record-breaking levels at the beginning of 2025. However, victims appear to be resisting demands in many cases.

BlackFog’s State of Ransomware QI, 2025 report, published on April 9, revealed that March 2025 set a new high, with over 100 attacks publicly disclosed, an increase of 81% compared to March 2024 and the most significant number of disclosed attacks since the security firm began tracking in 2020.

This record-breaking month contributed to the first quarter of 2025 also being a record-breaker, with 278 disclosed ransomware attacks.

Data exfiltration played a major part in this surge, with 95% of all publicly disclosed attacks involving some form of data leak.

BlackFog also estimated that about 2124 unreported ransomware attacks occurred during that period, a 113% rise compared with the same period last year.